The Power of Poetry

Local poets raised nearly $17,000 for the Westmont Wildfire Relief Fund at a benefit poetry reading December 6. Organized by Enid Osborn and Lois Klein and hosted by David Starkey at Santa Barbara City College, the event was a show of support for Paul Willis, a poet and professor of English at Westmont, and others like him who lost their homes and libraries in the fire.

Organizers also gathered over 250 books to help rebuild Willis’s collection of contemporary poetry.

Donations to the Westmont Wildfire Relief Fund will support losses and costs not covered by insurance related to the Tea Fire, including cleaning, rebuilding and other expenses.